This forum is designed to bring together lake and river associations, town officials, DEC, APA, APIPP and Soil and Water Conservation Districts staff in a round table discussion to review work being done on waterways infested with invasive species within the Adirondack region. While reports indicate that two thirds of our lakes and rivers remain invasive free, one third of Adirondack waters are infested with aquatic invasive species including Eurasian milfoil, water chestnut, asian clams, spiny water flea, curly leaf pondweed, all requiring substantial financial investments by lake and river associations and state and local government to contain and control their spread.

The emphasis of this forum will be to provide participants the opportunity to exchange information regarding management practices that appear to be leading to successful results as well as to consider factors that appear to be hindering the progress on some of our lakes and rivers. Because of its presence on so many of our infested waters, the primary focus of this discussion will be on Eurasian milfoil.

3) Open discussion by participants on other lake initiatives4) What are the factors inhibiting our efforts and how should we best approach these issues? 5) Regulations for 2017 DEC APA6) ALA efforts on behalf of lake and river associations

We look forward to having you join us for this important conversation. Working together, sharing best practices and resources should aid all of us in our efforts to protect our waters. Lunch is on us and we hope you will be at the table.

For our planning purposes would you please reply by email or complete the attached reservation form and mail by December 2nd to following address. Hope to see you on December 8.

The Adirondack Landowners Association is pleased to announce that the Adirondack Lakes Alliance will be the 2016 recipient of the ALA Stewardship Award. This award is given periodically to groups or individuals who have made a tangible impact on the stewardship of Adirondack lands, water or communities. The award will be presented at the ALA winter meeting in Old Forge on December 2nd, 2016.

Water quality is of great concern to everyone in the Adirondacks and around the world. The threats to our environment and economy from aquatic invasive species, has been the focus of the Adirondack Lakes Alliance since they began. They have helped to organize a wide range of lake and river associations throughout the Adirondack Park, along with local government, state agencies, residents and key stakeholders to help create awareness for this important issue.

Adirondack Lakes Alliance Executive Director, Ed Griesmer offered this statement: “The Adirondack Lakes Alliance is pleased and honored to receive the ALA Stewardship Award. In accepting this award, we do so, on behalf of the many lake and river associations throughout the Adirondack region and their thousands of volunteers who serve as first responders in addressing issues affecting our waterways. This award helps to give recognition to the important role they play in keeping our waters clean and safe for all to use and enjoy.”

The Adirondack Landowners Association was founded in 1990 to encourage continued stewardship and sound resource management of the land; to promote public awareness of the valuable role played by private landowners in the Park; to advocate laws, regulations and governmental policies that promote and facilitate good stewardship by private landowners and recognize and preserve their rights in the land.

Now that winter has arrived, we all will get reacquainted with the process of clearing the sidewalks, driveways and walkways around our homes and businesses to allow safe passage – but this year the LGA would like to ask you to make a few adjustments to your routine.

As we all know, the use of salt (or sodium chloride) on our properties (driveways, sidewalks and – for commercial property owners – parking lots) has become the routine way to manage a buildup of ice or hard-packed snow.

The relatively inexpensive price to purchase bags of salt makes it the go-to tool for many of us. Unfortunately, the low price and abundant use has meant an increase in the amount of sodium chloride in the Lake and in the watershed around the Lake. As you may know, excess salt in the watershed can disrupt freshwater ecosystems, contaminate the drinking water supply that is Lake George, kill vegetation, disturb wildlife, and damage infrastructure.

To put a halt to potential future problems, the Lake George Association and other partner organizations in the Lake George Watershed Coalition and the SAVE Lake George Partnership are focusing on reducing the amount of salt being added to the environment now.

For homeowners and business owners, there aren’t all that many cost-effective alternatives to using salt. So until a new product is identified, the key is reducing the amount of salt used; adopting best management practices; and applying the right material, at the right time, and in the right amount.

Everyone who lives in the Lake George watershed can help to reduce the overall amount of salt in the Lake by paying closer attention to winter maintenance habits:

Shovel early and often: It stands to reason that when you remove snow and ice by shoveling, you’ll need less salt and the de-icing material will be more effective. Begin your cleanup work as early as you can and keep up with the snowfall (unless freezing rain is forecast to follow the snow) so the sun can get at the pavement/sidewalk and melt it away. You may even decide that salt isn't needed.

Use an ice chipper: A specialized ice-chopping tool (not an ice pick) will allow you to work faster and more efficiently removing ice or a hard buildup of snow than a standard snow shovel.

Apply only what’s needed: Sprinkle de-icing material on icy areas only, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for working temperatures and application rates. Winter salt is most effective between 32 degrees F and 10 degrees F. If the temperature is above or below that, you can consider alternatives such as using a small amount of sand for traction, or chopping and removing the built up snow/ice with an ice chipper or shovel.

Apply smartly: Keep salt application away from any storm drain, or where melted runoff can mix with salt and then flow into a storm drain. In many communities, storm drains lead directly into the Lake.

Reposition downspouts: Make sure downspouts are pointed away from paved (or other hardened) areas so that water isn’t draining onto your walkways or driveways where it can refreeze.

Do your homework: Research de-icing materials before you purchase them to determine which is best for your specific property and need. Not all products have the same ingredients. Consider purchasing a de-icier that is chloride free.

​Kristen Rohne is the Director of Education for the Lake George Association. The Lake George Association’s mission is to Protect Lake George Water and Educate for the Future. Kristen is also the Adirondack Lakes Alliance (ALA) Regional Director for Warren, Saratoga, and Washington Counties.

At its annual conference this year in Saratoga Springs, the North American Lake Management Society honored the Lake George Association with its “Friend of NALMS” award – an important honor for the 130-year-old LGA.

NALMS has a succinct but sweeping mission: "To forge partnerships among citizens, scientists, and professionals to foster the management and protection of lakes and reservoirs for today and tomorrow." The LGA is pleased to be one of the Society's partners.

In his nominating speech, Dr. Ken Wagner – a longtime consultant on water supply protection and former NALMS president – said, “There’s nothing like a passionate group of individuals that goes out … with a small staff … and educates, encourages and excites. A lot of people love Lake George, but nobody fans the flames of passion like this group, the Lake George Association. This is how lake associations should operate.”